The International Classification of Diseases is the basis for comparable statistics on death and disease
Background
The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD) is the World Health Organization standard for recording diseases and causes of death.
Originating in the 19th century, the ICD has for more than a century been the basis for comparable statistics on causes of mortality and morbidity between places and over time.
Clinical terms coded with ICD are the main basis for health recording and statistics on disease in primary, secondary and tertiary care, as well as on cause of death certificates.
These data and statistics support payment systems, service planning, administration of quality and safety, and health services research.
The latest version, ICD-11, was adopted by the 72nd World Health Assembly in 2019 and came into effect on 1st January 2022.
ICD-11 allows the systematic recording, analysis, interpretation and comparison of mortality and morbidity data collected in different countries or regions and at different times.
In plain words
ICD International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems — The WHO's standard list of codes for diseases and causes of death.
Morbidity — The occurrence of illness in a population, as distinct from deaths.
World Health Assembly — The forum of WHO member states that takes the organization's highest decisions.